Reference values of semen parameters for healthy Chinese men.
OBJECTIVE
To establish reference values of semen parameters in a residential, geographic, and age representative sample of healthy Chinese men.


METHODS
From a national study of 1,191 healthy Chinese men, semen samples were analyzed from 105 subjects whose wives or partners were pregnant within the 12 months prior to the date when the semen sample was taken.


RESULTS
The means, fifth percentiles, and percentages lower than the WHO criteria for semen parameters were, respectively: 75.8 x 10(6)/ml, 17.8 x 10(6)/ml, and 6.7% for sperm concentration; 206.9 x 10(6)/ejection, 26.3 x 10(6)/ejection, and 6.7% for total sperm count; 18.9, 3.0, and 79.1% for rapid progressive motility; 49.1, 25.3, and 52.4% for sperm progressive motility; 73.8, 49.3, and 45.7% for sperm viability, and 49.5, 25.2, and 9.5% for normal morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
The values of semen parameters for Chinese men are lower than the WHO criteria, especially for rapid progressive motility, progressive motility, and sperm viability, and a different standard for Chinese may be needed.
Gao
Jun
J
Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, PR China.
Gao
Er Sheng
ES
Walker
Mark
M
Yang
Qiuying
Q
Wu
Jun Qing
JQ
Zhu
Quan Xi
QX
Wen
Shi Wu
SW
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D048430:Cell Shape; D002470:Cell Survival; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012016:Reference Values; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D055815:Young Adult